After heavy rain earlier in the week we were very fortunate to play on a good wicket that had been covered from the worst of conditions.

Match day dawned fine and warm. Unfortunately our batsmen weren’t able to fully capitalise on the conditions with many of us getting starts but unable to reach significant scores. After meandering along before lunch against steady College bowling the innings was given impetus by Andrew March (28 not out) and Andrew Nuttall (20 not out), who saw us through to 158/7 off 50 overs. For College Bisman bowled extremely well to take 3/8 off 9 overs.

In their chase the early College batsmen were tied down by the miserly medium pacers, John Campbell and Rod Innes. However a good partnership between Jeremy Innes (47) and Jonathan Davidson (49) put College in sight of victory. Just as Andrew Nuttall threatened to clean up the tail, Devine and Bisman hit cleanly to steer College to a tight victory.

My first day at “The Willows” was thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing, however my chances of leading a team onto the ground in future have obviously diminished through me being one of the rare Willows losing captains!